Sonia Gandhi has praised China’s economic development by terming it as truly astounding and outstanding. She said, While addressing the guests at School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University, that India had much to learn from the way the Communist nation had approached the policies of economic reforms and liberalization. The event was organized by International Department of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

Sonia also termed pragmatism and mutual self-interest as a sound basis for the development of Sino-India relationship in future. Both the countries might have different views on bilateral and global issues but there is a great scope to develop the bilateral relations as well. Sonia Gandhi is currently on her five-day China visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President and the CPC General Secretary Hu Jintao.

According to her, this is the time of Asian renaissance and the re-emergence of China and India and both the countries should work and grow together. At the same time, India has much to learn from the way China has approached economic reforms and liberalization since 1978.

China had achieved everything with pragmatism, clarity of vision and determination of effort in its policies. India has also focused, like China, on balanced economic development to make sure the development with social welfare and justice. She also said about the peace and tranquility on the border.

On the other hand, the ground realities are something different with the India-China relationship. India has expressed deep concerns on the rapid modernisation of the 2.5 million People’s Liberation Army. The military infrastructure build-up in Tibet and the ever-increasing ‘intrusions’ by Chinese troops into Indian territory have also become the matter of deep concerns.

The Defence minister A K Antony has even told the armed forces to keep an eye on the movement of Chinese army and its increasing trans-border military capabilities. On the issue about Chinese ‘intrusions’, defence minister said it happened because of differing perceptions about the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. He gave assurance that if the problem will grow, India would take up the matter at the appropriate forum.